Loading map...

1896 Map of Plainville

Name: 1896 Topographic Map of Plainville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1925
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1925

About this map

The South Solomon River and the Saline River define the horizontal movement of this late 19th-century central Kansas landscape. The settlement of Stockton sits at a strategic bend where the South Fork Solomon River joins the main branch, served by the Missouri Pacific railroad. Further south, the town of Plainville anchors a high plateau between river systems, positioned along the Union Pacific line.

This survey captures the early township divisions that organized the plains, from Sugar Loaf in the northwest to Walker in the southeast. Smaller rail stops and crossroads like Woodston, Zurich, and Natoma illustrate the distribution of agricultural commerce. Topographic detail highlights landmarks such as High Hill and the winding course of Paradise Creek, reflecting a period when rail connectivity and water access dictated the growth of Rooks and Ellis counties.